YouTube fame?

Sure, we all know about the Rebecca Black video that went viral, and sure we all know about Bed Intruder rap (but that was so last summer). But, what exactly makes YouTube tick? What exactly how can you benefit from this endless web of video on a wedsite?

Luckily, in one of my classes at the New School last week, Jessica Chan from YouTube came into class to talk to us about how it is exactly YouTube works, and some tips on how it can work for you (and your band).

First of all, we all know everything is totally viral these days, the whole world is your audience if it's utilized correctly. She told us that most users on YouTube are well, kids. If you can appeal to that crowd what you post is more likely to spread. Plus in that realm, you can pick up more traffic by bloggers picking up what is what you're posting.

Which brings me to the next point, be yourself. Upload content that YOU like. If you enjoy cooking, why would you be talking about cars? Exactly, it makes no sense at all. Plus if you decide to post responses to other videos, some rules apply. Be yourself. Be a normal person, people respect that more in the end. But because the world has A.D.D. don't have views go over 3 minutes. Why? it'll get old and someone will notice something better on here. Keep their attention long enough.

Being yourself though, can be a fulltime job. Like your Twitter account, Facebook, etc, you got to keep uploading content to keep your viewers interested. Interest means views and views can mean... payday.

Jessica began to explain to us how the partners program works. Basically, you get paid per views on your videos because, well you are putting ads on your page. Before you yell "sellout!" at me, listen, social media is the not the future anymore, its the present. If you can make money for posting online something you do, talk about, or just whatever why not? See don't seem so bad when you think of it that way. However, before you get all excited over this, you got to meet some criteria, like people actually need to watch your content. So in my case, with tour videos from 2006-8 on my mine, no real views in years, so nope don't qualify.

Basically what I got out of what Jessica said is: be yourself on there, post frequently. and if you do you get the ball rolling try to make some money. But please, don't go overboard and make 10 minute videos, because no one will care.